The Western Hemlock is the official tree of Washington State. In 1946, Portland newspaper The Oregonian teased Washington for not having a state tree and suggesting the Western Hemlock for its neighbor. Washington newspapers preferred the popular Western Red Cedar, but state representative George Adams insisted on the Western Hemlock, claiming the species would become “the backbone of the state’s forest industry.” It was named the official tree of Washington in 1947. Western Hemlock milled into lumber is known as Hem-Fir. SPI locations in Washington and Oregon produce various Hem-Fir products. Hem-Fir accounts for approximately 22% of timber production in the Western US. (wikipedia.org, softwood.org)